30 June 2008

HAL to offer ex-UK cruises in 2009

Holland America Line is to run a series of departures from UK ports next summer.

The premium US line is deploying its smallest ship, 793-passenger Prinsendam, on departures from Greenwich in London and Dover.

Itineraries include around Britain, Artic Circle and the Baltic Sea.

Details of the line's 2009 worldwide cruise programme, including six ships in Europe, was unveiled at a pre-launch preview of new ship Eurodam to the UK travel trade in Southampton.

The company is to run more than 120 itineraries across its fleet of 14 ships next year.

Prices lead-in at Ã&#pound;1,169 per person for a nine-night western Caribbean fly-cruise. Cruise-only rates start at Ã&#pound;519 for seven nights.

HAL will have four ships in the Mediterranean next summer offering 14, 10 to 17-night itineraries.

Alaska fly-cruises cruises start at Ã&#pound;1,529 for a nine-night Inside Passage voyage.

Eurodam, with a range of new spa cabins and restaurants, will be sailing its second summer in the Baltic with itineraries including a 10-night fly-cruise from Copenhagen starting at Ã&#pound;1,369.

Marketing, sales and guest programmes executive vice-president Rick Meadows said the line had an "aggressive" early booking pricing message in the UK.

Addessing economic issues such as the credit crunch, he said: "Globally people believe a vacation is a right rather than a privilege."

by Phil Davies